Paper and Fire (The Great Library Series #2)

by Rachel Caine

Overview

The New York Times Bestseller

In Ink and Bone, bestselling author Rachel Caine introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now she continues the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history...
 
Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever.
 
Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.
 
But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon Jess must choose between his friends, his family, and the Library, which is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451473141
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/09/2017
Series:	Rachel Caine's Great Library Series , #2
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	140,381
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.20(d)
Lexile:	HL740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than forty novels, including the Great Library series, Prince of Shadows, the Weather Warden series, the Outcast Season series, the Revivalist series, and the Morganville Vampires series.

Reading Group Guide

Questions for Discussion

1. Jess Brightwell seems to be doing well in his new army career. Why do you think he fits in so well, given that he didn’t expect to like it?

2. How far would you go to rescue a friend in danger? What would you risk?

3. Morgan is unwilling to accept her fate as an Obscurist, and is angry at Jess for cooperating in her capture in Ink and Bone. Jess feels guilty about it, too. Is he really guilty, or did he not have a choice?

4. In Paper and Fire, you see quite a lot of Rome—a very different Rome from what we see today—with all the wonders of the ancient world preserved (and some added). You also get to see the tomb of Alexander the Great. Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, what is the only one we can still visit today?

5. Why would the Library develop different kinds of automata (the lions of London, the lions of Rome, the Spartans, the sphinxes)?

6. Who do you think is the most heroic character in this book? Why?

7. What danger do you think the group will find in Philadelphia? How do you think the next book’s Philadelphia will be different from the actual one?

8. If you could change one thing that happens in Paper and Fire, what would it be? Why? What aspects of the book would your change alter?

For more information about the history of lost libraries, visit the Great Library Web site at enterthelibrary.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Paper and Fire
 
“Paper and Fire made me weep, clench my fists in anger, and gape in amazement. It was an engaging ride from beginning to end.”—Caffeinated Book Reviewer
 
“Ocean’s Eleven meets The Hunger Games, with Logan’s Run and The DaVinci Code thrown in for good measure.”—Kings River Life Magazine
 
“This exciting, fast-paced adventure from the prolific Caine will appeal to fans of fantasy with a sense of camaraderie.”—Library Journal
 
“A fantastic sequel...[a] cliff-hanger ending.”—The BiblioSanctum
 
“AMAZEBALLS....I love this series not for the romance, but for the friendship and sense of camaraderie, for the gorgeous imagery and sense of place, for the world building, and for the concept.”—Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
 
Praise for Ink and Bone
 
“Rachel Caine transports the reader to an imaginary future world where a Great Library controls all knowledge and the private ownership of printed books is a radical, dangerous practice....Ink and Bone launches a magical new series that will leave readers begging for more.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness
 
“Dark, riveting, heart-in-the-throat storytelling, with characters who caught me up and hold me even now. A don't-miss read!”—New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce
 
“Caine’s elegantly detailed descriptions bring Jess’s world to vivid life in a fast-paced, action-oriented plot that will leave readers breathlessly anticipating not just the next page but the next book in the Great Library series.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
“Fans will fall in love with Jess and want the next book out immediately.”—USA Today

From the Publisher

07/01/2016
The Great Library regulates all the knowledge of the world. Rebellion is fought to the ground, and book ownership is tantamount to treason. Jess Brightwell (Ink and Bone) is now a member of the Library's army, but it is not the service he dreamed of doing. His best friend Thomas has been convicted of heresy against the institution and is gone, and his girlfriend Morgan is in the Iron Tower. Still, he is determined to go to task for the Library, and on a mission in Alexandria, Jess and his squad learn something that forces them to step out on their own, putting them in the crosshairs of the Library's automatons. They flee to London, where Jess hopes some of his family will support him. However, London is no safer than Alexandria; fires are overtaking the city and the Welsh army is on its way. Jess may have to choose among his family, friends, and the Library, which is willing to destroy anything in its pursuit for total control. VERDICT This exciting, fast-paced adventure from the prolific Caine (Prince of Shadows) will appeal to fans of fantasy with a sense of camaraderie.—KC

Library Journal